Call my wife again and I’ll place a fucking bomb in the clubhouse and piss on the fire as you all burn.

— Trent Reed

18 and up due to language and content

Teal’s phone pinged on the dresser. The message notification lit up the phone, pulling his attention to the words illuminating the screen. Teal hadn’t noticed, she’d apparently been wrapped up in his words.

Trent reached past her and read the words. The threat. How Mutt had gotten her number was beyond him. It wasn’t a cell though . . . cells weren’t listed, were they?

“Oh shit. Are they canceling?” She reached for the phone and Trent moved it out of her reach.

“No.” He moved to the bed, watching Emma Mae as she used her chubby little fingers to grip the side of the bed and pull up with all her little strength. He smiled at her efforts, but didn’t reach out a helping hand. She was stronger than she looked and given time, she’d excel in every endeavor she attempted. He and Teal would make sure of it.

Little fingers gripped the cover, and her pink face scrunched in concentration. Clenching tight, she pulled until her little legs and the side of the bed supported her weight. Teal gasped, but Trent didn’t break his stare with Emma Mae. Baby blue eyes bore into him as she made her way over.

One hand lifted from her tight grip, and reached out for him. “Da-da,” Emma Mae’s soft voice called to him.

Trent’s eyes watered and his heart opened so wide from the love that filled him to bursting. He reached out a hand, just a few inches from her.

Quickly, Emma released the side of the bed, her little feet working faster than she’d expected, causing her to stumble after only two steps. He caught her in his arms and swooped her up. Teal ran to him and threw her arms around him, the sound of her happiness surrounding him, along with the giggles of his baby girl.

He closed his eyes for a brief instant, taking in and enjoying this moment with his family. And if the decision hadn’t already been made to kill the congressmen, this exact moment would have done it. He would fight and he would kill to keep his family.

“Oh my goodness, Trent. I’ve been waiting for this moment!” She squealed. He kissed Emma and placed her in Teal’s arms. She raised their daughter in the air and cooed to her.

Trent picked up her cell and moved to the door.

Her eyes widened. “Where you going?”

He lifted the phone, screen facing away from her and waggled it. “Logan texted. I need to talk to him about something right quick.” He forced a smile.

“About my surprise?” she asked, offering him an out.

He snatched it without even thinking. “Yup.” Her smile lit up the room, turning the dark deed he was about to commit into ash. “It’ll be a minute. And next time,” he motioned to Emma Mae, “we have to get that on video.”

“I agree,” she said as Trent exited the room.

Out in the hallway, he paced as he reread the text.

Tell your man this is his last chance before things get ugly, beautiful.

–Mutt

Trent growled at the endearment as he pressed the call button.

Mutt picked up on the first ring. “Hello, darling.”

Trent hated the smooth and soulful timbre he offered his wife. “Fuck you, asshole.” His growl was followed by Mutt’s laughter. “Tell Ace I’ll be there the day after tomorrow to do the job. Call my wife again and I’ll place a fucking bomb in the clubhouse and piss on the fire as you all burn.”

Trent disconnected the call and deleted all traces of Mutt’s presence on Teal’s phone. He glanced back at the closed door and could see right through it in his mind.

Fine, if his past wanted to rear its ugly head, he’d cut its throat and rip its head clean the fuck off.